Page 75 of Brittle Heart

CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT

Carolina

I can’t wait to graduate.

Going to college has been stressing me out lately. It was always the way to get my dream job, and now that it seems all set for me, it’s hard to stay motivated. Still, I want to graduate with the best possible result, so I continue studying. At least the minimum.

I never had to study much to get good grades before, anyway. I only studied Saturday at the tattoo shop for today’s test, and it was still enough to ace it.

I walk into the lab, focused on my phone, when a text from Chiara pops up.

I am going to sleep over at Leo’s tonight.

I love how she just informs me and doesn’t ask for permission.

She’s only sixteen, and it’s a Monday night. I probably shouldn’t let her sleep at her boyfriend’s place. My mom would definitely disapprove. However, if I come across as strict now, she might just do it secretly without telling me. It’s not as if I am home half the night to see if she stays there.

“Mi dispiace,Mama,” I whisper, looking up at the ceiling before sending her a thumbs-up emoji in response.

Sophia looks up from her desk and asks, “Did you say something?”

I quickly put my phone in my back pocket, replying, “Oh, nothing. Hey, how are you?”

I place my backpack behind my desk, but as I look up, I’m surprised to see the bouquet of flowers that Josh got me yesterday on my desk. I can’t help but smile and reach out to touch them.

Sophia notices my reaction and teases, “He made sure I took them with me since you forgot them yesterday.”

“Thank you, they are so beautiful,” I say, admiring the flowers.

“They are. Joshy did an awesome job. He’s considerate and loving, and any girl would be happy to have his attention,” she says.

Taking my seat behind the desk, I say, “I can see that. He’ll make someone happy one day.”

Sophia’s smile widens as she says, “Well, consider yourself happy.”

“Wait, what?” I give her a puzzled look, but she smiles and takes a sip from the mug I made.

“Oh, I got your paycheck from HR. I hope you don’t mind. I had to go up there anyway to sort out your contract for after college.” She nods toward an envelope on my desk.

I take it and open it carefully. When I pull out the check, I freeze. My heart races, and I feel like I might be sick.

“Are you okay? You look a little pale,” she says, a touch of humor in her tone.

This paycheck is three times the amount I earned at the bagel café. Together with what I earn from the bar and maybe a few Saturdays at Xander’s, I can easily cover the rent and all the expenses for the new year and buy Chiara the laptop she needs for Christmas.

Tears well up in my eyes, and I can’t hold them back as one rolls down my cheek. Rent was already due last Friday, and I had to ask for an extension and the option to pay in installments. But now, I can pay it in full and even buy some extra groceries beyond just the necessities.

Through my watery laughter, I manage to say, “Fuck.”

Sophia looks at me with understanding and a hint of sadness in her eyes, but she also smiles warmly. “You deserve it, Carolina. It’s a pleasure to work with you.”

* * *

Josh

Headquarters is bustling with people, as usual. We just returned from a case where a kid got his arm stuck in a candy machine. Our role was just to stand there and make sure the firefighters could work without being bothered by the curious onlookers who had gathered.

“I thought stuff like that only happens in movies.” Clay chuckles.

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